Saturday 12 December 2015

Top 10 Countries with the Highest Suicide Rates



The gift of life is one of the most precious gifts one can receive. It is sad that some people commit suicide. Suicide is a problem all over the world, but in some countries it is a major social problem. Some of the most happiest nations in the world have the highest suicide rates.

Here are the top 10 countries with highest suicide rates in the world as of 2015, according to WHO and other census.

10) Latvia – 20.8 per 100,000 persons (2013)

Although Latvia’s suicide rate has declined, the nation is still among the top ten in the world. The leading cause of suicide in Latvia are unemployment, mental health and alcohol consumption.  In 2005 Latvia had the seventh highest in the world at 24.5 per 100,000 person.

9) Hungary – 21.1 per 100,000 persons (2013)

Divorced and widowed men in the age group of 30-60 are most likely to commit suicide in Hungary. Alcohol consumption and unemployment are main risk factors for suicide in this central European country.

8) Japan – 21.4 per 100,000 persons (2014)

Around 70 percent of the suicides in Japan are committed by men. Societal pressure, economic hardship and depression are the main reasons for suicide. Furthermore, this nation has a tradition of committing honorable suicide. Around 21 people per 100,000 people in Japan commit suicide.

7) Slovenia – 21.8 per 100,000 persons (2011)

Even though around 400 people commit suicide in this central European country, one can say that the situation has improved; the number was 600 at the beginning of this millennium. Around one-third of all suicides are due to alcohol consumption. The government has taken steps to address this problem. One such step is the implementation of a law that regulates where and when alcohol can be bought. Also today 18 years is the minimum age for buying or drinking alcohol.

6) South Korea – 27.3 per 100,000 persons (2014)

Even though citizens of South Korea are among the richest in the world, suicide is a major problem here. The most common methods of committing suicide in South Korea are hanging and poisoning. Mental duress, physical pain, economic hardship and familial problems are the main causes of suicide in this developed East Asian country. People above 60 years, the elderly, are more likely to commit suicide than the others. They are doing so to reduce the financial burden (from their very existence) on their children. In 2014 the suicide rate declined 4.1%.

5) Sri Lanka – 28.8 per 100,000 persons (2011)

Around 4,000 people commit suicide in this island nation every year. Suicide is more common among males than among females. Extreme poverty, unemployment and debt are the main reasons for suicide.

4) Kazakhstan – 33.5 per 100,000 persons (2008)

Around three percent of all the suicide deaths in the world occur in Kazakhstan. Another tragic fact is that most of the people who commit suicide here are youth. This central Asian nation has the highest rate of suicide among young girls in the age group 14-19 years; and also has the second highest rate of suicide among boys, after Russia. Suicide rate among the youth of Kazakhstan has increased 23 percent in the new millennium. Bullying and tormenting is one of the reasons for this disturbing trend.

3) Lithuania – 34 per 100,000 persons (2013)

Suicide is a serious social problem in this Baltic nation, which is yet to recover from the economic impact of the breakup of the USSR. Poverty and unemployment are major causes of suicide in Lithuania.

2) Guyana – 42.2 per 100,000 persons (2012)

In Guyana, men are more likely to commit suicide than woman. Around 40 percent of the people who commit suicide in this South American nation poison themselves by consuming pesticides. Men who find it difficult to provide for their families resort to alcoholism, domestic violence and ultimately, suicide. Guyana’s suicide rate is the highest in South America. The nation is ranked first in suicides per capita worldwide. It is a challenge to combat suicide in Guyana because many suicides committed by middle aged or elderly are not reported.

1) Greenland – 107 per 100,000 persons (2011)

Greenland topped the list according to a 2011 census. One in every four people in Greenland has attempted suicide at least once in their lifetime. The annual suicide rate is around 100 people per 100,000 people. Hanging, shooting and jumping off cliffs are the main methods committing suicide in this Danish constituent nation.
World Health Organization estimates that someone commits suicide every 40 seconds. This is sad and shocking. What steps do you think individuals and governments should take to prevent suicide?

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